Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-12-01
ST. Louis Correspondence.

Ed. Register-Thanksgiving is here
and the many homes, churches ana
societies of the city are keeping It in
appropriate manner. One of the count
less reasons for Thanksgiving is the
refreshing rain enjoyed by SO much OF
our parched country the last two days.
Our city had most fearful tornado OF
dust, which lasted for over q day. The
wind is said to have travelled at the
rate of about sixty miles an hour, on
an average. Sometimes it would come
around the corner or down the street
at the rate of one hundred miles.
Often it was 80 dark with dust aud
smoke that nothing could be seen by
the luckless traveller. who had To tie
out. Many q bat was lifted from The
head; not for politei.ess sake, but be-
cause of the uncerrmon character
of tile wind The street never looked
cleaner. but alas for the parlors, homes
and dry good stores of the city. 1t is
TO be feared that every breath that day
was not of prayer, but in come in
stances, just the opposite. But it is all
over now. The streets have been
! well sprinkled, the fields and hillsides
of the country refreshed by copious
showers, and both beast and man feel
better. 1t is well that the custom of
Thanksgiving has become national.
Your correspondent can remember
when this custom was most entirely
confined to the New England States
and cities.
1t is v ell for this busy, rushing peo-
pie of U. 8. A. to stop for one day, at
least, and rest. TIE Sabbath is disre-
garded and the long year is given to
rush and strain. Many families there
are " ho do not all meet at the table
many times year. In one sense they
are nearly strangers to each other. On
this day, however, it is generally the
custom that all are home, and some OF
the choicest friends are invited to share
the general good cheer and hospitality
of the family. The Influence of this
custom, well observed, is salutary.
Children think it the best day of all
| the year. The good wife takes the
| greatest pleasure in spreading her fam
lily board with the choicest of prepara-
tons. Her home is opened up, the
sunlis ht enters, music and merry voices
are heard all around. She feels happy,
as well she may.
The head of the family is home
Business or labor is abandoned and hs
sits. down ay ease at home. Hs ~
t the liffIe one on his knee, whiu ofhel
larger children gather round, and home
is represented as, alas, it is not Otter
i'm all the Iong busy year. R.st, fol
the man of rush and business. is good
very gos:. He and all the family cal
| 90 to the task of toll much refreshed by
such a day.
But further and higher good is gain
ed in religious way. The first and
primary purpose is to thank God fol
his blessings. both temporal and spir
itual. AS the man looks upon thes'
mercies calmly and in the moments o
thoughtfuiness, he begins to see tina
after all he is greatly blessed aud knew
it not. He places higher value OF
his home, family, health, civil liberty
and gospel blessing, than he ever die
before. Aside from the mere enjoy
ment of the day, which is by no meant
small, this day of national Thanksgiv
ing is a great public benefit. No ma
ton or people can properly observ'
such custom without being great.
benefited. Most of our churches eth
er observed the day at their own plac
of worship or met with some othe
congregation aud joined with them il
their devotions.
Many of our churches are havin
special and revival services. Churche
are being quickened thereby and man
persons. formerly given up to.the world
are becoming religious. The Episct
pal Churches are about to have th
assistance of number of clergymen {
note from abroad to hold mission se
vices In various congregations. Th
presence and earnest labor of 10 or /
jealous men scattered among th
! churches of this city must have q
effect. The zeal and wisdom of Bisho
Tuttle think lie seen i'm this NOV
/ ment. Success to it and every 9th,
effort put forth by men and church'
to lift humanity higher toward &c
and heaven!
A movement is on foot to ask for IL
: calling of an election on local optio
I It is not claimed that there is any hoI
of carrying it in the city, but it
claimed. with good reasons, that liqu
interests would see stronger foe ths
!, lit now expects. and that 1t would g
Il its doom sl,adowed forth In the futu
in no doubtful aspect.
st. Louis, No., Nov. "a, 1887.
Il $4,000 REV ARD.